NEW YORK: Former GCI Group CEO Jeff Hunt has stepped down as president of the newly merged Cohn & Wolfe, taking on the role of counselor for the agency.

New York-based C&W officially relaunched its agency – which merged with GCI on July 2 – on September 23.

The decision was based on his desire to spend more time with his family in Texas, Hunt told PRWeek.

Donna Imperato, CEO of C&W, said Hunt's role as president of the firm and lead on its global practices “required a lot of travel.” Geoff Beattie, head of C&W's energy practice, will now lead the firm's global practices.